New Order Album: “Waiting for the Sirens' Call”

Someone here mentioned the term "mythology of New Order" and that compelled me to chime in. I'm not sure how the old-time NO fans will take to this, but speaking for myself I'm blown back into the water...this is the real deal, from the pappies of the sound they created, back (once again) to show the new school a few new lessons. I LOVE the sound at play here, from the first track to the last. Of course, I loved "Get Ready" as well...nothing here quite touches the urgency of "Crystal", but instead most tracks stretch to the breaking point...I never wanted anything to end...literally my ears had to re-learn how to listen to this group, and grab ahold for the long haul.

The opening bass of "Hey Joe" rocks my world...literally. "Know What You're Doing" is the funkiest techno-jazz I've ever heard and should be mandatory in every elevator...pronto! "Krafy" just makes me smile, nuff said there. Some people hate it, but "I Told You So" is my favorite track, and a great sequel to "60 mph"...oh man, how much I love this band when they're firing on all cylinders...

From "Dracula's Castle" and "Morning Night and Day" I can't believe how good things are...this is New Order's most complete album I've ever heard...every track is great (yes, even "Working Overtime"). It took me a few listens to really get a hold on things...but this is certainly my favorite ALBUM (in the truest sense of the word) of 2005 so far. I almost shed a tear when the thing ended, as always I wanted more. But then I hit the play button on the old ipod and started over.

Thank you, New Order...thanks for sticking around. New school, are you listening? THIS is how longevity is done...take note!

I simply can't get enough of this album. What can I say. New Order dish out A-grade albums after A-grade albums. Before I got this at the store, I read a review that claimed this was as good as Get Ready. I was highly skeptical how New Order could release another album as good as that, but I must say, now that I've listened to this, it might even top Get Ready.

The opening track "Who's Joe" is a slow, haunting start to the rollercoaster of emotions Bernard Sumner and gang take us through in Waiting For The Sirens' Call. "Hey Now What You Doing", "Waiting For The Sirens' Call", "Krafty" and "Morning Night And Day" have a distinct Get Ready feel-good rock feel. I was pretty surprised with "I Told You So", which is very different from anything they've done in the past. It is a mixture of reggae, rock and synth-pop. A very interesting sound indeed. I love the orchestra used in "Dracula's Castle"... A kind of song that leaves a bittersweet taste long after you've heard it. Then there are the highly pop / dance tunes of "Jetstream" and "Guilt Is A Useless Information" that are sure to get anyone and everyone moving on the dancefloor. "Turn" makes me cry everytime I hear it. It reminds me alot of "Run Wild" / "World" / "Ruined In A Day": a powerful song, but at the same time remaining somehow very delicate - definitely one of my all-time New Order favourites. The last song - "Working Overtime" - skillfully ties the whole package up very well with its up-tempo lifting tune and lyrics.

Every single song in this album is just simply breathtaking. DEFINITELY the best album of 2005.

Waiting for the Siren's Call finds our heroic band of wistful troublemakers as on target as ever. While there is no accounting for taste, in responce to the negative reviews on here from people who have and haven't followed them since Joy Division's transformative death to their rebirth as New Order the way I HAVE I offer this: Things Change. For people to expect or insist that this album sound the same way say, that Brotherhood does, is foolish and just more than a bit naive. That viewpoint denys a group of artists the right to change and grow, make mistakes etc. I really love pesto, but I don't want to eat it everyday you know? The same is true with bands. New Order has never failed to be one of the very few bands that can live in all the worlds; gay-straight, 1981-2005, edgy and bleak-dancey and euphoric. With few exceptions no band that is still together making music since 1981 can lay claim to any legacy like that. Turn, Guilt is a Useless Emotion, are as pure New Order as Round and Round or Shellshock are, while Jetstream Lover proves that New Order isn't afraid to or unable to reinvent themselves as well. That song is sugery dancey joy!

Just listen to Barney's broken, old man-little boy voice. It is STILL the voice of someone who has seen and done much, too much? But still wakes up to face the day, smile wryly and say "...nope, not beaten yet."

The Wait is over, the call has been heard. This albmum overflows with songs crying to be anthems for the summer, so put your prejudices aside for a few and just LISTEN.

It's interesting New Order has returned in 2005 with a new album when almost every hot band with the word "The" stuck in front of it are aping their signature dance rock hybrid sound. The Indie Dance God's must be completely flattered that their sound and influence has endured for 25 years.

Waiting For The Siren's Call sounds exactly what its supposed to be; New Order for the new millennium. Everything is in place... Bernard Sumner's melancholic vocals(and so trite its almost clever lyrics), Peter Hook's signature bassline, Stephen Morris's crisp precision drum work. New comer Phil Cunningham takes over for Gillian Gilbert on guitar and synth work.

In the New Order cannon, you could place it in between Get Ready and Republic in sense of sound. The guitars are not as harsh/loud as Get Ready, yet the bass and guitar have more of a presence than on the anemic Republic. Perhaps Brotherhood is a better frame of reference. There are none of the dance gems of Technique, Low Life or Substance.

WFTSC is an electro-pop-rock amalgam. The song's on WFTSC aren't bad. But that's just it; they are not awe inspiring either. The musicianship is still high and up to par, but their are no instant classics here.. no Regret, no True Faith, no Temptation, no Crystal. Every song sound's vaguely like a New Order song you've heard before. Is it clever self reference or just self parody and running out of ideas? The listener can decide.

There also seems to be some slightly unfocused meandering instrumental passages in several of the songs which take away from them.

The synth work is capable, but nothing compared to the flourish and innovation of the Gillian Gilbert days.

The first 3 tracks Who's Joe, Hey Now What You Doing, and the title track offer up trademark New Order melancholia more on the level of Brotherhood or LowLife's Love Vigilantes. Trademark Hooky basslines, Trademark Sumner lyrics and guitar work.

Krafty was indeed a great choice for the kick off single; a good balance of bass, guitar and synth work. Its almost the most optimistic and coherent lyrics I've heard out of Mr. Sumner.

Jetstream ft Ana Mantronic from the Scissor Sisters sounds straight off an Electronic album,(or even Republic) and the lightest/poppiest moment, though I was expecting more from the collaboration, its fun. Stuart Price(aka Jacques Lu Cont/Les Rhythms Digitales on production duties)

The one true dance track on the album (another Price production) seems like a poor mans Blue Monday, even invoking some of Blue Monday's melodic elements.

Tribal/Progressive don Mac Quayle (who did some programming work on Electronics Twisted Tenderness) gives a stab at the track too and gives a more Giorgio Moroder feel to it.

I Told You So is catchy, but the robo reggae doesn't really gel right. Why not call in Ruined in a Day remixers and dub legends Sly and Robbie and do it right? Melodic elements from 2000s Brutal that was on The Beach soundtrack seep into the mix.

This is not a bad New Order album, probably better than Republic, but certainly not as strong as its predecessor Get Ready. It lacks the experimentation of LowLife and Technique, but in sound, its thoroughly New Order.

I was suprised and delighted to see a New Order release and bought it instantly because all of their music is good. I had no idea how good this one would be; it is now my favorite CD out of about 700 CDs, most of which are Brit-Pop and female alternative (Lillith Fair types). I am 50 years old and enjoy music like this far more than the old 70's classic rock I grew up with! By the way, does anybody know how Bernard Sumner gets the awsome buzz in his guitar notes; is it by pressing the strings loosly to the fret?